University Services to Suffer Under Federal Takeover

University services will suffer under a Howard Government takeover of universities, campus staff warned today.

Workers in university education, represented by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), have called on the Howard Government to focus instead on a genuine expansion in the quality and affordability of the university system.

CPSU Assistant State Secretary Steve Turner said "The Howard Government shows its true colours with their demand that state governments hand over their power over universities.

Their main interest is power, rather that how to best improve the quality and accessibility of university education, student services and research for the community."

"Workers in Universities have been appalled by the numbers of talented people turned away from our universities due to a lack of affordable places and well-supported services. Instead of redressing this serious crisis for the nation, the Howard Government instead wants a power grab. University workers call on all State Governments to reject this demand."

"Our nation faces a skills crisis, and our universities need a serious reversal of the starving of public funds that it has faced over the last 12 years.

They don't need a handover of power from the States to the Howard Government, that will result in less accountability of University managements for the public funds that they use, reduction of workers compensation rights for university workers, and less democratic university decision making bodies that exclude key stakeholders like staff and students."

"The CPSU will continue to advocate against dangerous power grabs, and will continue to push for more funding and better support for universities, for the best interests of staff, students and the community."